How to hold a bird to dust with louse/mite powder?

[Sue]

Further to my other question posted - if I do manage to catch any of them, I am not sure how to hold them to dust them with mite/louse powder. I went on a brief beginners course and they showed us how to do it by holding the bird upside down by its legs! Firstly some of my birds are quite big (Maran/Legbar) and secondly I don't want to hold them upside down and risk breaking their legs! Don't think I could do this anyway, even if I wanted too! Any advice on how everyone else does it would be appreciated. Again, I expect there is a technique and experience will make it easier.

 

[elmdene]

I went on a course recently (only a recent chicken convert myself) and they showed us how to turn them upside down on your lap which obviously gives them a lot more support than holding them by their legs, which seems horrific. If you sit down, holding them normally with the fingers of one hand between their legs and the other hand gently holding their wings down, you can then turn them onto their backs and put them between your legs (not tightly) with their bum facing away from you, but make sure the neck doesn't get twisted. They are generally quite quiet like this and you can sprinkle powder on their tums and bums, although it does help having someone else do this while you hold them as I wouldn't say they enjoy the procedure!

 

[Rebelodicus]

Hiya Sue... I posted a suggestion in your other thread. Sand box and mite powder mix was the suggestion

If holding chooks by the legs it is best done above the knee to avoid damaging the bird, but even I would struggle with a big bird without hurting it. jmho.

 

[Anonymous]

definatley dont hold them by their legs you will most likely injure them. hold them both sides holding the wings at their sides and carefully turn them them hold the breast bone to dust.

 

[victorias poultry]

Hi Sue
Have pm'd you, hope it helps
I place my birds on my lap, breast bone on thigh, birds feet outwards, tipping birds forwards slightly to dust around vent and then under wings.

 

[Aileen]

I wrap a towel round my large girls quite tightly to hold down wings and then tip onto side / back. I only did it for the first time recently, was quite nervous about it all. Can't say my gals were very enamoured but a bit of corn after their ordeal and it was soon forgotten. Good luck x

 

[Sue]

Thank you for all your suggestions. They already have a dust bath in their run filled with earth and Diatom. I top this up daily, but they all still seem to be trying to de-bug themselves and scratching at their heads. I'm not sure whether they are just grooming themselves or whether they have a problem. I've only had them 2 weeks and they were treated with Ivormec before I collected them, so they really shouldn't have a problem. The house was brand new and has been dusted with Diatom. I may just be over reacting, being a complete novice.